Letters: Fears for Glamis Hall future

Marion Turner Hawes from the Northamptonshire Green Party is concerned at the decision to close Glamis Hall in Wellingborough

Published:12:00Saturday 20 September 2014

On behalf of the Northamptonshire Green Party, I react with dismay following Wellingborough Council’s delay of a decision on the future of Glamis Hall.

This delay, while allowing councillors and council staff more time to consider all recent findings, only serves to increase the pressure on customers, families and staff as we move closer to the December 31 closure date, the result of which, if councillors uphold their existing decision, provides only weeks for parties to make alternative arrangements.

Our hearts go out to all customers, families and staff of the service and we are saddened that such a clear and considered request via the unprecedented 10,000-strong petition has not been met with an equally clear response from elected representatives.

Green Party members call upon officers and members of the council to work much more closely with the Save Glamis Hall for All group, and work to progress the positive and well-presented proposals contained in the group’s recently issued Save Glamis Hall Report.

Northamptonshire Green Party also encourages all parties interested in saving this service to make themselves known to the Save Glamis Hall Group or the council and work with haste to save and indeed extend this invaluable service for the elderly, disabled and vulnerable residents in the borough.

MARION TURNER HAWES

Northamptonshire Green Party

Green issues will influence my vote

It’s not just about kettles, Mr Helmer! If the earth is not to fry, I am sorry, but some of us would accept that the temperature of your bodily fluid may have to be elevated on occassions.

UKIP’s policy on climate change is that there isn’t any – climate change, that is. It is not surprising, therefore, to read UKIP’s views about reducing the power of electrical apliances.

Europe, apart from a minority of climate-change deniers and scientists and technologists in this country, have given us the information that says just this.

If we can reduce our use of energy in the range of appliances, machines, transport systems, industry and so on, there may just be the possibility of avoiding the kind of rises in global temperatures that would bring disaster. Work has been going on with government and industry for 10 years on the subject and I’ve no doubt the physics has been done.

Making kettles more effecient is only one example of numerous forms of energy-using devices, and the energy saving is accumalative.

The research, development and manufacture of energy-saving devices will provide jobs. Next year I will be voting for a party that adopts a responsible approach towards not only the environment, but to employment and a sustainable economy. And, yes, Europe is important because our environment is Europe, not just this island.

TONY BANKS

Wellingborough

Dangers for the global village

Roger Helmer is a regular contributor to your Letters page and not many would disagree with his view on proposed European Commission proposals to limit the power of electric kettles.

The commission has a propensity to be over-zealous on many issues but this is why we should expect our MEPs to be playing an active role in avoiding such ideas being implemented.

But UKIP is a destructive organisation, incapable of recognising the wider picture that the wars of the past century should have brought nations together in unions of shared common interest for the betterment of all and to avoid conflicts.

It was a matter of great shame and embarrassment for this country when, at the recent opening of the European Parliament, the UKIP members turned their backs to the European flag and Beethoven’s Ode to Joy.

UKIP, with its undercurrent of paranoid xenophobia, really has no place taking seats in an organisation for which its attitude is completely negative.

It is easy for charismatic figures such as Nigel Farage to prey on people’s fears and concerns and offer quick-fix solutions.

At the time of writing, we don’t know the result of Scotland’s referendum but there is a danger there that they might blindingly detach themselves from the UK.

Sadly this would all be part of a trend to the kind of fragmentation which is propounded by UKIP and which, if adopted by all countries and regions, would result in instabiliy, insecurity and danger for all of us living in the global village.

PHILIP EVANS

Kettering

Concern at how much MP claimed

I have just seen the figures for the local MP Andy Sawford’s expenses and cannot believe what I am looking at.

Corby’s last MP Louise Mensch was a disaster and used our town as a stepping stone to further her pointless career.

The previous MP Phil Hope lost after over-claiming expenses.

It seems, however, Mr Sawford has claimed £50,000 more in expenses than the Prime Minister – how can this be justified?

This will reflect badly on Corby.

The continuation of professional MPs drawing £250,000 in pay and expenses is not acceptable behaviour.

This is one of the reasons Scotland wants independance away from these politicians.

My vote has up to now always been Labour, but even though UKIP are rough round the edges, they are above all transparent and know what we expect of our politicians. Never again, Labour.

Who needs this kind of behaviour, they are just rubbing our noses in it.

TOM BINGHAM

Corby

Why change the way grass is cut?

Corby Council has started to make dual carriageways single lane with a safety truck and cones when they cut the grass as seen in Lloyds Road and Weldon Road on theA43.

The rest of the grass cut by Kier on dual carriageways is done as it always has been, with no problem.

Is Corby Council wasting our money?

RAY LILLEY

Corby

Charity collects £345 for children

A permit was granted to Anita Withers to hold a street collection on behalf of The Phoenix Children’s Foundation within the area of Corby on September 5.

A total of £345 was collected of which £27 was appropriated on account of expenses and payment incurred in connection with the collections.